For Indian cricket fans, it will be tough to see the number 3 position without Virat Kohli. According to media reports, the talismanic batter has informed BCCI about his desire to leave Test cricket after retiring from T20Is. Though there are no official announcements regarding this. Keeping his age in mind, nearing 37, BCCI selectors perhaps already are in search of a suitable replacement for the right-hander. In Test cricket, Virat solidifies his legacy mainly as the number 3 batter. So, the board selectors will have to pick someone who can hold one end of the innings after one down. There are several players with healthy batting stats who can be considered as candidates once Virat formally announces his retirement from Test cricket.

Top 5 potential batters in place of Virat Kohli:

Karun Nair

The first name to pop up in the 5-man list is Karun Nair, who over the years improved his batting to another level. The top-order batter who owned a triple century in Test cricket is eagerly awaiting another shot to represent his country. After scoring a bag full of centuries in the domestic circuit, Nair marked his IPL return for Delhi Capitals with an 89-run innings against Mumbai India. The batter who achieveded 23 first-class centuries and 36 fifties with a batting average of 552.39 definitely proved himself a contender in the Test squad.

Shreyas Iyer

The improvised version of Shreyas Iyer can be a good fit in the Test batting lineup. He transformed himself into a more focused cricketer than before after the BCCI decided to drop his name from the central contract. From being considered ineligible to receive the central agreement to a return in the Blue, Iyer proved his mettle. Leader, batter, and a team man—in all three terms, his capabilities are above all doubts. Shreyas played his last Test for India in early February against England in a home series where he scored a decent amount of runs.

Rajat Patidar

Despite having a truckful of runs, Patidar’s List A cricket career is comparatively less discussed. The right-handed batter has a List A batting average of 37.47 after playing 64 innings and a 43.07 batting average against 6 first-class matches. Patidar, who previously represented India in 3 Tests, can look for a spot in the squad again after a promising run in IPL 2025 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain. Batter Iyer, hailing from Madhya Pradesh, has scored 239 runs so far in IPL 2025. 

Read More: 5 players who can replace Rohit Sharma in Test cricket

Ajinkya Rahane

 

Skills permanent—this line is perfectly fit for Rahane. Near T7, the right-handed batter who represented India in so many matches across all three formats is still dreaming about playing for his country. When Kolkata Knight Riders roped in the veteran batter in place of Shreyash Iyer, a part of cricket fans was expressing their doubts over him. But when someone soaks in the basics of the game completely, then the player can play anytime, anywhere. IPL 2025, so far he has made 375 runs with a batting average of 37.50. 

Sarfaraz Khan

Khan almost broke all barricades to enter into the Test squad with the help of his supreme performances in the domestic circuit. His impressive batting continues for the Test salso; also scored 150 against New Zealand in Bengaluru last year and a couple of half centuries against England in Rajkot as well. The right-handed batter must be in the selector's head in the upcoming days.